Denver Broncos / NFL

Issues with contract may kill Arrington deal

There's been a glitch in the contract between the Broncos and running back J.J. Arrington.

The Broncos and Arrington had reached an agreement in principle Friday on a four- year contract, according to the player's agent, J.R. Rickert. But in reading through the contract language, some issues arose that threaten to kill the deal.

"J.J's back in Arizona," said Rickert, who did complete a four-year contract with the Broncos on another free-agent running back, Correll Buckhalter. "The deal's not dead yet."

There is enough concern, however, for the Broncos to bring in free-agent running back Derrick Ward for a visit today. The Broncos rated Ward as the No. 1 back in this year's free-agent class, but his initial asking price was beyond their budget.

A splendid backup to Brandon Jacobs with the New York Giants the past two seasons, Ward was seeking a deal similar to the six- year, $34.5 million contract Michael Turner received from Atlanta last season. Turner previously had been a backup to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego.

Ward's asking price, however, may be slipping to the Broncos' range after he visited Philadelphia and Cincinnati but left without a contract.

Ward, 28, rushed for 1,025 yards on just 182 carries last season. He would likely become the Broncos' starting running back with Buckhalter slipping to the 1B position.

Defensive help.

If Arrington's deal taught the football industry anything, an agreement in principle does not mean a deal is done.

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Nevertheless, the Broncos do have agreements with former Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Andra Davis on a two-year contract and former Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Darrell Reid on a three-year deal worth $6.8 million.

Davis, 30, is a tackling force who will be used on first and second down but may come out in nickel packages. Reid was primarily a special-teams player with the Colts, but the Broncos may use him as a defensive end-outside linebacker hybrid.

Also, the Broncos have reopened discussions with free-agent nose tackle Grady Jackson, who played with the Falcons last year.

Goodman visits.

After finalizing deals with two new safeties, the Broncos on Saturday brought in cornerback Andre' Goodman for a visit at team headquarters.

Goodman, 30, started all 16 games for the Miami Dolphins and had a career-high five interceptions in 2008. He played three years with Miami and four years with Detroit.

He also is expected to visit the Browns.

The Broncos are looking for a right cornerback to replace Dre Bly, who was released last month.

Reunited in Denver.

New Broncos safety Brian Dawkins will have a familiar face in the team's locker room when offseason training starts March 16.

He and Buckhalter, whom the Broncos signed Friday, were teammates in Philadelphia for eight seasons.

Buckhalter is expected to compete for a starting job with the Broncos.

"Man, I'm so happy for Buck," Dawkins said. "Being his teammate for so long, and the things he's had to endure and the injuries he's had to sustain and not always being able to put it on the football field, for whatever reason, if he's not being used or the injury.

"For him to get this opportunity to show what he can do, I am so happy for him."

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